On 13 March 2018, at the UNODC-Vienna, during the 61st Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the FDFE co-organized with VFV* and the Fundacion Mejora* a side event entitled: Law Enforcement and Sustainable Drug-Use Prevention.
According the UNODC and EMCDDA 2017 Reports, the illicit drugs are a major threat to the health and safety of individuals and societies in Europe and worldwide. Indeed, the magnitude of the harm caused by drug use is estimated to 28 million years of “healthy” life lost as a result of premature death and disability. More, the use of drugs is one of the most important causes of avoidable deaths among young Europeans.
Repressive policies and punitive measures used to tackle the drug problem are not necessarily the most effective approach but, effective prevention efforts are successful when law enforcement is turning to and partnering with NGOs and community based organizations in drug prevention through education. This follows the 2016 UNGASS Outcome Document.
The panel on Law Enforcement and Sustainable Drug-Use Prevention was moderated by the Director of Drug Demand Reduction for the High Density Drug Trafficking Areas of California. He introduced the speakers and made a link between the different presentations. The first speaker, Commandant in the Spanish Army and from the Technical Team of Drug Prevention of the Army, presented a well documented and successful Spanish Army’s General Plan on Drug Prevention. He was followed by a Police Officer from Milano, author and artist also passionate by drug prevention who illustrated his presentation with videos and photos: Italy, Fighting Drugs in the Streets. The last speaker, Ph.D. and Representative of the FDFE, oriented his presentation on the importance of: Partnering with Law Enforcement Through Prevention Education and offered to drug prevention educators materials contributing to create a sustainable society protected from the harmful effects of drugs.
(*)
-Society for the Advancement of Global Understanding
-Fundacion para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad
